This was my entry in the Whimsy microfiction contest for July. Whimsy invites writers to create a story exploring a whim and including an object. For this one, my whim was The Cryptid Conundrum. My object was a pepper grinder.
Enjoy!
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“Fresh ground pepper?”
X1’s tentacles clapped in delight. “Yes, please!”
X2 chimed in with glee. “Fresh ground pepper for everyone!”
X1 sat transfixed, black orbs shining under the warm glow of the pendant lamp overhead. “Is that hers? Or does it live in this place?”
Zara followed X1’s sight line to the server’s hands. “The pepper grinder? It belongs to the restaurant.”
“I see,” X1 rubbed the place where Zara assumed his eyebrow should be. “Last evening, the… pepper grinder? It lived in… Marizzxbp?”
“Mario’s? Yes.”
“And the evening before…?”
Zara smiled in spite of herself. “Yes. It belonged to the restaurant, too.”
The two pinkish blobs bobbed excitedly. “Remarkable…” X1 breathed.
“You know, if you’re interested in food, there’s a farmer’s mark-”
“What of that supermarket?” X2 interrupted.
“What of it?” Zara asked helplessly.
“We could not help noticing the bags of it.”
X1’s mouth hole quivered with excitement. “Yes, who is that for? The black and pink and white?
Zara blinked three times. “I mean… Anyone who wants it?” she answered weakly.
X1 gesticulated toward the server, tipping over a water glass. “And do these ones visit your home to dispense the pepper?”
Zara swallowed a maniac’s laugh. “Goodness, no. I… do it myself.”
A grinding chreeee spilled from X1 and X2. Their rubbery skin seemed to pulsate. “And the grinder?”
“Yeah… I have my own.” Zara shrugged in resignation. “Everyone does.”
“Chreeeeeoghhhhhhh!”
***
Excerpt from The Intergalactic Travel Companion (9th Edition), Chapter 43: Earth
The ceremonial offering of fresh ground pepper is commonly observed at shared eating rituals. Invitations to ‘dinner’ – nightly eating signaling human friendship – should be graciously accepted.
Don’t miss your chance to pick up an authentic pepper grinder the next time you’re at Earth! Peppercorns should only be purchased from reputable vendors.
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